Which program primarily targets educational accountability for reaching proficiency in reading and math?

The program that primarily targets educational accountability for proficiency in reading and math is No Child Left Behind. This legislation, enacted in 2001, aimed to close the achievement gap between students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and required states to develop assessments in reading and math for students in grades three through eight and once in high school.

Under No Child Left Behind, schools were held accountable for student performance, which meant they had to demonstrate adequate yearly progress towards proficiency goals. If schools failed to meet these targets, they faced potential consequences, which could include restructuring, and students had the option to transfer to better-performing schools. This focus on accountability and standardized testing directly relates to ensuring that all students achieve proficiency in these core subjects, making it the correct answer.

Other programs mentioned, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, focus primarily on special education services; the Workforce Investment Act is centered around job training and workforce development; and the Carl D. Perkins Act primarily addresses vocational and technical education. None of these programs have the same direct emphasis on educational accountability in reading and math proficiency as No Child Left Behind.